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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Whitewashed Brick


Our family room has quite a large fireplace and hearth.  While the brick was attractive, it needed brightening up.    I like the texture and look of brick and didn't want to paint a thick coat on top to hide it.  I wanted to enhance it.

I started to think of the brick houses that I love.  The ones that have been painted white and left to distress through the years.  I love those homes.


So, I thought that this look was what I should try to achieve.

Here is a pic of the fireplace before.  I think you can see what I mean about attractive brick but really quite dark and boring.  It takes up the entire length of the room...

Well, I decided to just dive in.  First, I painted the mantel in white, distressed and waxed it.  Then, on to the brick.  I was hoping I'd like the result because I would be stuck with it!  I made a wash with Annie Sloan white chalk paint and water.  Here it is being applied...

oh, my.  I think I like what I see...

and LOVE how it turned out (really, thank goodness)!





The before and after is truly amazing.  The room is now bright and the mantel really pops. I adore the farmhouse, distressed look.  Oh, what paint can do!


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Cheers,
Suzanne

linking to: http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
www.blog.blueeggbrownnest.com
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/02/link-up-with-me-liz-marie-37/
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/02/furniture-feature-friday-a-link-party-7/


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13 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 16, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    It turned out beautiful and has me second guessing my having painted my brick PURE white!!!
    Gorgeous transformation
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Painted DrawerFebruary 17, 2013 at 5:58 PM

    Thanks, Suzan!!

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  3. Passionate for WhiteFebruary 19, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    Oh I am SO going to do this next time my husband goes out of town. It came out great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nine RedFebruary 20, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    I love it! You said you made a wash, did you paint it on & wipe it off real fast?Or.. what did ya do? :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Painted DrawerFebruary 20, 2013 at 1:07 PM

      Hi Jesse, I actually just dipped my brush and saturated it in water, then dipped it into the paint and haphazardly brushed it on. If it looked too thick in one place, I added water to my brush and went over it again. Cheers!

      Delete
  5. elbeyFebruary 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    It looks brilliant!

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    What an incredible difference! Well done, it looks beautiful!

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  7. DebbieBFebruary 23, 2013 at 8:40 PM

    Did you wax it or leave it natural?

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  8. UnknownMarch 30, 2013 at 2:01 AM

    Inspired! What percentage of paint to water did you use?

    ReplyDelete
  9. AllisonMYMay 7, 2015 at 3:17 PM

    I love this! I want to do this on the brick alcove that houses my range, but I'm concerned that cooking steam might damage the chalk paint unless I seal it. Did you use the Annie Sloan sealant as a final coat? Also, the only water was that in the saturated brush, correct? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete